Symptoms but testing negative

[Robinni]

Hi, so about a week or so ago I started to get a bad cold and sore throat, developed a temperature for a short time, extremely fatigued, nauseous and off food, now the coughing has started and I can’t sleep, sound like a donkey and it’s been hard to breathe at times. I’ve tested negative several days in a row. A family member just came back from hol - all those in their party have covid on return bar family member, but my symptoms started before they returned.

Anyhow, I know other illnesses are available, but I also know it’s possible to have repeated negative tests for various reasons. Has anyone had this and suspected or been told they had covid…. I really don’t want to have it.

I know a couple who WFH, shop online etc, where one of them caught COVID at a meeting (positive test), the other went with COVID symptoms a few days later but didn't get a positive test. Given that they hadn't been in contact with anyone else, it seems likely it was COVID.

DS's flatmate had COVID (positive PCR) but had negative LFTs. Given that she spent the pandemic working in a testing centre, I would assume it wasn't user error.

There are a lot of other things going round though so I wouldn't assume you have COVID in your case.

This is the worlds most stupid post.

It’s not covid. Please stop faffing & wasting test.

@Daqqe I’m vulnerable with autoimmune disease. DS and DS are also vulnerable. Hence faff and concern…

If you are CEV, @Robinni, are you eligible for anti-virals if you test positive? I guess in that scenario, I might get a private PCR test rather than rely on LFTs.

I've experienced the symptoms a few weeks ago and self
test was negative twice The same happened to a relative
who works in a hospital The official test done at hospital tested positive You are being reasonable and not faffing.Hope you can get a test done for you

@chesirecat99 I think you’re right I’ll get the pcr done.

I am in a bit of a limbo re. the anti-retrovirals.

During the second lockdown diagnosed with a blood disorder and potentially RA. Wait list to see either consultant is 3-6 yrs.

So I’m told by gp am vulnerable may be CEV but can’t get the access to consultant due to wait list… so I’m paying private but still a while off until appointment.

Have tried to be extremely cautious. Hopefully this is just a bad cold.

We've all had Covid symptoms for weeks now. LFTs and pCRs negative for us all. Nasty flu

I know two people who were unwell for almost a week before they tested positive, I am very unwell right now, tested negative but was told by my doctor to test again every few days as I have symptoms including losing my sense of smell and taste.

There is something nasty going round that seems very very similar and lingers for ages.

I had the same symptoms as you that started on 2nd April, tested negative all last week but eventually tested positive on Tuesday this week, a good week and a bit after symptoms started.

[quote Robinni]@Daqqe I’m vulnerable with autoimmune disease. DS and DS are also vulnerable. Hence faff and concern…[/quote]
It doesn't really matter either way does it? You have a cold virus with various symptoms, it's not going to make you more poorly if it's labelled covid.

@howthebellstoll…. Well yes it does matter. Covid is not a cold. Friend with similar health issues dead, 3 months after having a sniffle took an aneurysm due to it…

Covid is a serious vascular disease with primary symptoms of respiratory ailment.
I def don’t want it!

academic.oup.com/jalm/article/6/5/1099/6317833

I had covid but tested negative throughout. (Found out I'd had a recent infection via an antibody test at work).

I wish I'd had a positive test as then I'd have rested more and maybe not been struck down with exhaustion and other things ten days or so later.

@NotTheOW

There is something nasty going round that seems very very similar and lingers for ages.

Yep, we've all had symptoms for over 3 weeks now, just when you think it's clearing up the sore throat comes back of the cough gets worse. Alongside some kind of tummy bug that also comes and goes. All negative tests. Just really crappy flu type thing that lasts yonks.

I feel like I have covid but I'm testing negative. It feels exactly like when I had covid 3 months ago though

It's taken 3 weeks for my cough to come out properly, the kids have all had their coughs for at least a fortnight now. I've just felt lousy for 3 weeks and now the cough, just when I thought I'd escaped it.

@Daqqe

This is the worlds most stupid post.

It’s not covid. Please stop faffing & wasting test.

What a nasty and spiteful post. Lots of people test negative for several days before getting a positive, I myself tested negative for 6 days in a row despite covid symptoms and finally got a positive. How can you so confidently say to the OP “It’s not covid”? 😅

Also why do you care if she’s ‘wasting’ tests, how does that bother you? Unless you paid for them?

OP keep testing and as you’re CEV tell your GP or consultant if you get a positive. Hope you’re ok

@howthebellstoll how is your post relevant? Covid isn’t a cold, it’s not a respiratory disease so it’s very important for some people to know if it’s covid so they can manage it effectively with treatments. Your post could actually be harmful tbh.

@chesirecat99

If you are CEV, *@Robinni*, are you eligible for anti-virals if you test positive? I guess in that scenario, I might get a private PCR test rather than rely on LFTs.

If cev you get a priority pcr so op , instead of using lfts get one of them

For goodness sake! Pull yourself together!

Thank you all, I have managed to book a pcr for the morning as the cough is worse and I feel dreadful.

Have found the new test rules very confusing!

My DP is CEV.
We all had Covid (well DP didn't get it) we got a bit of tiredness and a sniffle.
We shielded as a family to protect DP. So our immune systems will be quite weaker.
Covid came and went. I was so scares of it. I still am.

Right now we are all in bed with the worlds worst cold. My teen is sobbing her throat hurts so much. Every symptom in my home. But covid is not the only virus with those symptoms.

I have never taken to my bed with a cold. But this is awful.

Don't be surprised if it's negative. I had an ambulance out to me a week ago because my oxygen levels had dropped and I couldn't breath. They said there's a horrible flu going round

What we've had/still got is exactly how we were with covid January last year. Even down to DC having bloodshot eyes. But multiple tests are negative so it's obviously just something particularly nasty with the same symptoms.

@Daqqe

This is the worlds most stupid post.

It’s not covid. Please stop faffing & wasting test.

You're wrong, yours is.

Some people need to be more vigilant re covid, for example those who are CEV.

Also I was ill for over a week before I finally tested positive, despite daily testing. So yes, it may well be Covid.